Almost a decade after the end of the Great War, the Royal Canadian Legion was officially created.

June 17, 1926, an Act of Parliament declared the official incorporation of the Royal Canadian Legion. This was almost 10 years after November 11, 1918, when the Armistice was signed, declaring an end to what was called The Great War, and the War to End All Wars, now better known as the First World War.

Young men and old, returned home to Canada after their demobilization, many of them still dealing with both the physical and psychological trauma of the battlefields, and having to try and become a part of normal society again. There was little official government support for them. Some veterans formed local and provincial associations, including the Great War Veterans Association, to lobby for care and benefits for returning soldiers. Many of these groups merged to form the Legion.

This year marks the official centennial of the Legion, and branches across the country are holding special events and gatherings to commemorate the occasion. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 554 Rockland & District is hosting a 100th anniversary celebration on Friday, July 17 at the Rockland branch. The free event is family friendly and is open to all residents who want to join in the celebration.

As part of the 100th anniversary milestone, the Rockland branch and the national organization are offering FREE memberships for all new members throughout the year.